President Barzani urges Kurdish political parties to form new government

SULAYMANIYAH — Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani called on political parties to prioritize the region’s interests and engage in constructive dialogue to establish a government that addresses public needs. Barzani delivered his remarks on Saturday during the graduation ceremony for the 4th officer training course at the Qalachwalan Military College in Sulaymaniyah governorate.

The ceremony marked the graduation of 769 officers, including 48 women. Speaking to political leaders, Barzani said, “Put the nation’s higher interests above all else. Establish a stable and functional government that can respond to the demands of the people and address current and future challenges.”

Barzani highlighted the success of the recent Kurdistan Regional elections, stating, “The elections were successful. Nearly 72% of Kurdistan’s population participated, a testament to Kurdistan’s resilience and progress.”

The sixth session of the Kurdistan parliamentary elections took place on October 20, 2024, under the supervision of the Independent High Electoral Commission. The Kurdistan Democratic Party secured the most seats, with 39, followed by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) with 23 seats, and the New Generation Movement with 17 seats. An additional five seats were allocated to minority groups, making up the 95-member parliament.

The Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission announced the final election results on Nov. 3, and confirmed receiving 41 appeals regarding the outcomes. These appeals have been referred to the Judicial Authority for Elections for review and approval. Once the results are finalized, the president of the Kurdistan Region is required to summon parliament to convene within 10 days. If the president does not act, parliament will automatically convene on the 11th day, in accordance with Article 3 of the Kurdistan Parliament’s internal bylaws.